For a holiday-inspired activity, visit La Jolla’s Contemporary Fine Arts Gallery, located at 7946 Ivanhoe Ave., for national award-winning artist Georgeana Ireland’s live painting exhibition, created to the tune of Christmas music. From noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 2, visitors to the gallery will have the opportunity to witness Ireland in action as she captures the holiday spirit through the tip of her paintbrush. Ireland’s work features romantic abstract landscapes that have been awarded with national accolades, making this a show art lovers should not miss. For more information about the free event, visit www.contemporaryfineartsgallery.com or call (858) 551-2010.

MUST GO

The Bird Rock Artist Guild welcomes community members to experience local works of art in an open-air garden setting for its “Holiday Art in the Garden” tour on Dec. 1. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., guests are invited to stroll through Bird Rock resident and community leader Leslie Davis’ inspiring garden and enjoy the latest works by featured artists Scott Wright and Sharon Hinckley. Guests can also experience live portrait demonstrations by master portrait artist Kasuaki Uehara from Bird Rock Arts amid the acoustic tunes of local musicians Mira Parfitt and Drew Taylor. “Holiday Art in the Garden” will take place at Davis’ home, located at 5571 Bellvue Ave. For more information about Bird Rock Artist Guild, visit www.facebook.com/BirdRockArtistGuild. The event is free and no tickets are required.

MUST DO

Vocabulary Boutique and Mulberry Street Tea House are hosting an afternoon tea that might just include a visit by Alice, the Queen, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter from Lewis Caroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” The Mad Hatter tea and scone tasting on Dec. 1 will help support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). From 4 to 6 p.m., the Mulberry Street Tea House will provide a traditional English tea and scone samples and Vocabulary Boutique will sponsor a 10- to 20-percent discount coupon in exchange for a donation of $10 to $20 to JDRF. Guests at the event are encouraged to don hats that would rival the Mad Hatter to win prizes. For more information, visit www.mulberrystreetteahouse.com or call (619) 977-7569.

MUST HEAR

Santa Claus is coming to town in style in a Macy’s tour bus on Dec. 5, where he will make a stop at the Birch Aquarium, located at 2300 Expedition Way, to read a classic holiday story from 2 to 4 p.m. In light of the season of giving, Santa will continue spreading cheer by visiting Macy’s in Chula Vista to grant Make-A-Wish Foundation child, Michelle’s, wish to go on a holiday shopping spree. Children of all ages are also encouraged to bring their letters to Santa. In the seasonal spirit of giving, each letter dropped off will result in a $1 donation from Macy’s to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million. To follow Santa’s magical journey throughout town, visit www.macys.com/holidayevents.com.